Dak Lak is now home to only 44 individuals of domesticated elephants, according to Mr. Huynh Trung Luan-Director of Dak Lak Elephant Conversation Center.

Elephants is considered “speciality” in tourism of Dak Lak

44 domesticated elephants are concentrated in Buon Don and Lak Districts including 25 individuals in Buon Don District and 19 individuals in Lak District and a five-year-old elephant is being brought up at Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Center. In 2015, 05 individuals died including 03 of elephant deaths caused by age and weakness, 02 of them caused by killing and accident.

Care services, conservation of domesticated elephants in Dak Lak face many difficulties since their owners keep them separately and use them to serve for tourism services. Therefore, these individuals have to overwork and their caring conditions are not ensured leading to the diseases. The average age of Dak Lak domestic elephants is rather high; the oldest individual was 59 years old. The number of elephants at the reproductive age has a decline, so their reproduction is still an unsolved problem.

Director of Dak Lak Elephant Conversation Center recommended that when using elephants for tourism activities, it should be focused on health care services for elephants as well as ensure the safety of tourists. Besides, using elephants for performing activities must be taken into consideration to minimize the impacts on elephant health and contribute to the conversation of elephants in the province.